Then probably Mr. Inspector was not quite unprepared for their visit that evening? Lightwood hinted.
“Well you see,” said Mr. Inspector, “it was a question of making a move. It’s of no use moving if you don’t know what your move is. You had better by far keep still. In the matter of this lime, I certainly had an idea that it might lie betwixt the two men; I always had that idea. Still I was forced to wait for a start, and I wasn’t so lucky as to get a start. This man that we have received our information from, has got a start, and if he don’t meet with a check he may make the running and come in first. There may turn out to be something considerable for him that comes in second, and I don’t mention who may or who may not try for that place. There’s duty to do, and I shall do it, under any circumstances; to the best of my judgment and ability.”
“Speaking as a shipper of lime—” began Eugene.
“Which no man has a better right to do than yourself, you know,” said Mr. Inspector.
“I hope not,” said Eugene; “my father having been a shipper of lime before me, and my grandfather before him—in fact we having been a family immersed to the crowns of our heads in lime during several generations—I beg to observe that if this missing lime could be got hold of without any young female relative of any distinguished gentleman engaged in the lime trade (which I cherish next to my life) being present, I think it might be a more agreeable proceeding to the assisting bystanders, that is to say, lime-burners.”
“I also,” said Lightwood, pushing his friend aside with a laugh, “should much prefer that.”
“It shall be done, gentlemen, if it can be done conveniently,” said Mr. Inspector, with coolness. “There is no wish on my part to cause any distress in that quarter. Indeed, I am sorry for that quarter.”